The Names of God–El Elyon

But at the end of that period I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, “What hast Thou done?” Daniel 4: 34-35 Who is God … Continue reading →

The Names of God–Elohim

Elohim is one of the names for God in the Old Testament. Elohim is God the creator and most of the time in the Old Testament, Elohim is translated as God and Jehovah is translated as Lord (although there are exceptions to that). It is also significant because in Hebrew, Elohim is a plural ending. It speaks of the three different persons of a triune God. Do you ever feel as if you are living circumstances that really don’t belong to you? That surely God didn’t intend this for you? This is precisely the time to remember Elohim, the God … Continue reading →

Battling Our Giants

In 1 Samuel chapter 17 we can read the story of David and Goliath. Goliath was truly a giant believed to stand about 9 feet tall! He was said to be a man of war even from his youth. One look at him brought on enough fear that many from Israel turned away. The reward for taking on this mighty Philistine was said to be great riches and servitude by their people. There was a cute young shepherd boy named David. He came forward with great faith to defeat the giant. He is not believed to be older than fourteen … Continue reading →

Jesus, Our Passover Lamb

In Exodus chapter 12 the children of Israel were told to take a lamb for their household. Verse 5 says, “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year…” The Israelites were instructed on how and when to kill it. They were to use the blood around the door frame of the home. In verse 13 the LORD tells us, “Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you … Continue reading →

Trinity vs. Oneness

The awesomeness of God is so great I believe most of us have a difficult time wrapping our puny minds around it all. In looking at who God is, there are two main views; one being that He is a trinity (three persons in one Godhead), and the other is referred to as “oneness” (believing He is one being). The Webster’s Dictionary defines “trinity” as: 1. The cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one. 2. The union of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost in one Godhead. 3. Three people considered as a unit. … Continue reading →

Name It and Claim It a.k.a. Prosperity Gospel

The faith movement can be seen throughout some of the Pentecostal denominations. Followers adhere to a belief that God wants all His children to be prosperous and things like sickness and poverty are curses. Granted, sickness and poverty may be curses for some, it is so important not to confuse a lack with a “curse” rather than lowliness which is justified biblically. “For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth, But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from … Continue reading →

Reflecting on Palm Sunday

“Rejoice, greatly O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zachariah 9:9, NKJV Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the fulfillment of this prophecy foretold in the book of Zachariah. The story of this fulfillment can be found in Luke chapter 19 starting in verse 28, as well as Mark chapter 11, Matthew chapter 21, and John chapter 12 beginning with verse 12. The fulfillment of prophesy goes a bit like this: … Continue reading →

The Mark of the Beast

“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number … Continue reading →

The Armor of God for Christian Soldiers

Ephesians 6:10-18 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand … Continue reading →

The Functions and Attributes of the Holy Spirit

What are the functions and attributes of the Holy Spirit? The day a person receives Christ, I believe the Holy Spirit of God takes up permanent residency in that person. A Christian’s relationship with the Holy Spirit is too often ignored or under-emphasized. Here are a few functions of the Holy Spirit which are laid out for us in Scripture. 1. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8-9). In the unsaved, He convicts of sin to bring them to salvation. In the saved, He convicts of sin to keep them clean and show them how to live for Jesus. … Continue reading →